www.mypanhandle.com/news/changes-to-walton-county-land-development-code/763307046
Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. - Over in South Walton, the Board of County Commissioners held their bi-monthly meeting. On the agenda was a hot topic: Walton County Land Development Code. Planning director, Mac Carpenter requested for authorization to amend the Major and Minor Development application threshold in Chapter 11.
"After many, many public hearings and much much public input over the last 20 years, these are the things that make Walton County special and unique and allow us to charge higher prices than our sisters counties," said Mac Carpenter, Walton County Planning Director.
The request included streamlining the development review process, to make it more consistent with other local governments in our area but, many community members were not pleased with the idea for change.
"From a neighborhood association, from a property owner, individual perspective, the process right now is daunting enough to keep track of what goes on in our community," said Rich Jaffe, Vice President of Historic Inlet Beach HOA.
"People are getting really tired of knowing that the developers and the people that pay other people to have their development projects approved quick and early are getting really fed up with it," said Suzanne Harris, Walton County resident.
Carpenter said it would reduce the time required to obtain most development orders in Walton County, thus saving developers money.
"We've had several projects continue at recent meetings. Well, when a project that has a $10,000 a day carrying cost, being continued 30 days, that's a significant impact financially for developers," explained Carpenter.
The public asked the Board and Planning Director to consider public hearings to further discuss changing the thresholds.
The board voted to approve the change in a three to one vote. Walton County Planning Director said they will hold future public hearings to at least consider changing the thresholds.
Replies
17
Beach Fanatic
Seems like contradictions in the planning department - I suppose they are under pressure to help developers more with recent pro-developer commissioners elected to the county commission ...
Well maybe that's because they need to be continued for careful planning, discussion, and compliance with the law and community wishes.
Everything coming out of the BCC lately regarding development has been alarming. The public elected them. Not developers. Serve the public's best interest commissioners!
"We've had several projects continue at recent meetings. Well, when a project that has a $10,000 a day carrying cost, being continued 30 days, that's a significant impact financially for developers," explained Carpenter.
Well maybe that's because they need to be continued for careful planning, discussion, and compliance with the law and community wishes.
Everything coming out of the BCC lately regarding development has been alarming. The public elected them. Not developers. Serve the public's best interest commissioners!
Beach Fanatic
Carpenter is just another puppet with a nice salary.
Beach Fanatic
So sad to see one of the most beautiful places in the world ruined by greed.
Beach Fanatic
Carpenter is just another puppet with a nice salary.At least he was upfront about the fact that this was to save developers time and money. I'm glad he didn't try to make it sound like it was going to benefit the residents or the community.
Beach Fanatic
At least he was upfront about the fact that this was to save developers time and money. I'm glad he didn't try to make it sound like it was going to benefit the residents or the community.
So he's an upfront kind of puppet.
Beach Lover
So he's an upfront kind of puppet.
Or maybe just too stupid to know how to spin it.
Beach Lover
Not trying to be "cute" here, but I think reading this book (if you have not already) will give you some insights and understanding into what type of people we (who are opposed to what went down last night) are up against.
It's called "The Sociopath Next Door". The Sociopath Next Door: Martha Stout: 8601300480657: Amazon.com: Books
It's called "The Sociopath Next Door". The Sociopath Next Door: Martha Stout: 8601300480657: Amazon.com: Books
Beach Fanatic
Just too damn funny.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Seems like contradictions in the planning department - I suppose they are under pressure to help developers more with recent pro-developer commissioners elected to the county commission ...
Well maybe that's because they need to be continued for careful planning, discussion, and compliance with the law and community wishes.
Everything coming out of the BCC lately regarding development has been alarming. The public elected them. Not developers. Serve the public's best interest commissioners!
Actually, in at least 3 cases, Commissioners were elected by developers and it's payback time!
Beach Lover
Does anyone know what the vote breakdown was - who was the 1 "no" and who was absent?
Beach FanaticAuthor
Does anyone know what the vote breakdown was - who was the 1 "no" and who was absent?
Sara Comander voted NO. Melanie Nipper is on assignment serving our Country in Africa.
Beach Fanatic
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners have approved some changes in the county land development code. Planning director, Mac Carpenter requested for authorization to amend the Major and Minor Development application threshold in Chapter 11 during Tuesday's meeting in Santa Rosa Beach.
The request included streamlining the development review process, to make it more consistent with other local governments in the area but. Comisioners say it would reduce the time required to obtain most development orders in Walton County, thus saving developers money. The public asked the Board and Planning Director to consider public hearings to further discuss changing the thresholds. The board voted to approve the change in a three to one vote. Walton County Planning Director said they will hold future public hearings to at least consider changing the thresholds.
The request included streamlining the development review process, to make it more consistent with other local governments in the area but. Comisioners say it would reduce the time required to obtain most development orders in Walton County, thus saving developers money. The public asked the Board and Planning Director to consider public hearings to further discuss changing the thresholds. The board voted to approve the change in a three to one vote. Walton County Planning Director said they will hold future public hearings to at least consider changing the thresholds.
Beach FanaticAuthor
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners have approved some changes in the county land development code. Planning director, Mac Carpenter requested for authorization to amend the Major and Minor Development application threshold in Chapter 11 during Tuesday's meeting in Santa Rosa Beach.
The request included streamlining the development review process, to make it more consistent with other local governments in the area but. Comisioners say it would reduce the time required to obtain most development orders in Walton County, thus saving developers money. The public asked the Board and Planning Director to consider public hearings to further discuss changing the thresholds. The board voted to approve the change in a three to one vote. Walton County Planning Director said they will hold future public hearings to at least consider changing the thresholds.
Quote your source please so that Citizens can CONSIDER the "source".
Article compliments of WZEP!
Beach Lover
Sara Comander voted NO. Melanie Nipper is on assignment serving our Country in Africa.
She is in Africa as a private contractor so please stop saying "Serving our Country."
Beach FanaticAuthor
She is in Africa as a private contractor so please stop saying "Serving our Country."
I beg to differ with you. Nipper is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot serving in the U.S. Army Reserves and does not pick and choose her assignments, the government does.
Be that as it may, she is allowed to work outside of her part time job as a County Commissioner. She also owns a private Sky Diving business.
Beach Lover
I appreciate her long service in the Military. I also appreciate (or appreciated) her service to this county. Yes I'm very aware that Commissioners are allowed to have other jobs or own business, and I believe they should, if those jobs or business are done locally. You can spin it any way you want, but I think its funny you are upset with Commissioners who are serving their County and Districts on a daily basis but you're not upset with Nipper who is getting paid by the TAXPAYERS to do nothing in our County.
Meet the Owners | Skydive North Florida
Meet the Owners | Skydive North Florida
Melanie Nipper became a pilot in 1986, was an instrument flight instructor, crop duster, and flew cargo before flying for Gene Paul Thacker at Raeford Parachute Center where she met Jim. Melanie got in the Army as a Warrant officer in 1993 and flew Blackhawks and King Airs. Four combat tours, active duty for 12 years and was in the National Guard and still serves in the Reserves with 22 years of service flying Blackhawks. Currently flies a Kingair overseas as a contractor.
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
I appreciate her long service in the Military. I also appreciate (or appreciated) her service to this county. Yes I'm very aware that Commissioners are allowed to have other jobs or own business, and I believe they should, if those jobs or business are done locally. You can spin it any way you want, but I think its funny you are upset with Commissioners who are serving their County and Districts on a daily basis but you're not upset with Nipper who is getting paid by the TAXPAYERS to do nothing in our County.
Meet the Owners | Skydive North Florida
I'm not upset in the least. You want to turn this into a flame fest about Nipper not being here and I'm simply not going to feed the flame. I think you're being ridiculous.
I'll debate you till the cows come home as to whether or not 3 Commissioners are serving this County. They serve developers and themselves first! The Citizens in this county get the left over riff raff.
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